M25 speeding - reacting time?

Minxy · 18 Feb 2011 at 20:15

I've come through the variable limit tonight between J10 - J16. I was as good as gold, ensured I was below all the limit displayed at all times until I came up to one of the last ones. I depend on my license for my job so I am always very careful particularly on the M25 as I cover this stretch a lot.

The displayed speed dropped from 40, down to 30 in front of me and almost immediately down to 20. I had to double take as I have never seen a 20mph limit be displayed on any motorway so I was unsure whether I was reading it correctly. I started to brake but had someone behind me so slamming on the anchors was not an option unless I wanted him in the car with me and I went through the camera somewhere between the 30-35mph mark.

I saw a flash and instantly thought &^%$ but I don't remember seeing an additional flash. There must have been less than a minute between the limit dropping and the flash.

Obviously I am now concerned that I may wind up with points at least. Is there a grace period between when the limit changes and how soon the cameras start enforcing the new limit please?

I have never heard of anyone being nicked on the M25 whether it be in the variable limit or otherwise, have you?

Cheers in advance.

Housey · 18 Feb 2011 at 20:17

You'll be fine, there is a delay programmed into the camera's for such incidents.

Minxy · 18 Feb 2011 at 20:45

But how long is the delay likely to be?

Housey · 18 Feb 2011 at 20:51

Minutes

ajstan · 18 Feb 2011 at 20:57

Are you sure it wasn't the driver behind flashing you?

Minxy · 18 Feb 2011 at 20:59

ajstan said:
Are you sure it wasn't the driver behind flashing you?

I don't believe so but I like your theory.

The Edge · 18 Feb 2011 at 21:14

As far as i'm aware there has to be a gantry displaying the speed limit before there is a gantry with a camera to enforce it.

MarkST · 18 Feb 2011 at 21:17

Same happened to me and never got anything through

Booner! · 18 Feb 2011 at 21:23

You'll be fine. I didn't realise they even flashed? I'm sure I have been in the position where they weren't on at all....then turned on at 60mph in front of me, never got a NIP in the post?

Morba · 18 Feb 2011 at 21:35

I'm sure it's quite a while actually, you'll be more than fine.

Minxy · 18 Feb 2011 at 21:37

Thank you guys.

Morba · 18 Feb 2011 at 21:55

Booner! said:
You'll be fine. I didn't realise they even flashed? I'm sure I have been in the position where they weren't on at all....then turned on at 60mph in front of me, never got a NIP in the post?

Only a few of them have cameras in, I've seen a couple of people get flashed but it's rare.

Mr Plow · 18 Feb 2011 at 22:13

There's info about these cameras here -

http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk/gatso10.htm

Minxy · 18 Feb 2011 at 22:23

Mr Plow said:
There's info about these cameras here -

http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk/gatso10.htm

Thank you. I did have a look at that but was unsure as to how recent it was.

SoliD · 18 Feb 2011 at 22:58

Child killing mad woman driver!

Minxy · 18 Feb 2011 at 23:03

SoliD said:
Child killing mad woman driver!

Enough about you, can you assist me or not?

SoliD · 18 Feb 2011 at 23:17

Minxy said:
Enough about you, can you assist me or not?

Go faster after 167MPH it can't catch you? but doubt a non turboed audi coudl get that fast?

Minxy · 18 Feb 2011 at 23:32

It's ok, we're back to full turbo power now but still unsure on the 167 thing, maybe knock the 1 off the front!

Morba · 18 Feb 2011 at 23:36

130 isnt it?

bigjimmyauk · 19 Feb 2011 at 01:12

SoliD said:
Go faster after 167MPH it can't catch you? but doubt a non turboed audi coudl get that fast?

Thats a load of BS mythbuster tested in in a 180mph gallardo iirc and the picture was still clear as anything

on a side note just watched a bit of that episode again and in the US they only need 1 photo to convict you and in the UK they need 2, they also refered to someone in the uk beating a UK gatso at 180+ MPH